Monte-Carlo Beach has welcomed one of fashion’s most influential names this summer as Jacquemus unveils a striking seasonal takeover in partnership with Monte-Carlo Société des Bains de Mer. From now until the 7th of October, the iconic seaside club is reimagined through the sun-drenched, stylish lens of the French fashion house.
The collaboration has transformed the legendary pier, the Pool Café, and two new on-site boutiques into a tribute to the brand’s signature aesthetic. Banana yellow sunbeds, coconut milk and black striped parasols, and soft cushions inspired by Jacquemus’ La Croisière collection now bring playful elegance to Monaco’s Mediterranean shore.
This partnership marks a fresh chapter in the ongoing renewal of Monte-Carlo Beach, following recent upgrades to Le Deck, the pool area, and the launch of new padel courts. The addition of Jacquemus’ universe—marked by Southern light, artistic flair, and modern Provencal identity—deepens the site’s commitment to Riviera chic while reinforcing its timeless appeal.
Inside the two boutiques, guests are greeted by a space that feels as personal as the designer’s own home. Artworks reminiscent of Matisse and Renoir hang on the walls, while curated furnishings and literary touches evoke the warmth and charm of Provence. The boutiques offer a full immersion into the world of Jacquemus, in what is the brand’s exclusive retail experience in the Principality.
Known for its boundary-pushing fashion shows and immersive storytelling, Jacquemus has become synonymous with creative expression in extraordinary locations. This Monte-Carlo Beach collaboration brings that spirit to life once more, inviting guests to lounge, dine and shop in a setting where high fashion and seaside serenity blend seamlessly.
Monaco Life is produced by multi-media journalists writing original content. See more in our free newsletter, follow our Podcasts on Spotify, and check us out on Facebook, Instagram, LinkedIn and Tik Tok.
Save the Rainforest Gala unites conservation leaders at glamorous Monaco event
The Fairmont Monte Carlo’s Salle d’Or Ballroom transformed into a nexus of environmental advocacy on Saturday night as Borneo Wildfire Preservation hosted its Save the Rainforest Charity Gala, raising over €16,100 for critical conservation efforts across three continents.
Distinguished guests including Prince Charles Philippe d’Orleans and Princess Naiomi d’Orleans joined conservation leaders, entertainment figures and passionate supporters for an evening combining Monaco glamour with urgent environmental purpose.
Katerina Pirelli-Zucchetta, Founder and President of Borneo Wildlife Preservation, opened the evening with a compelling address on the dangerous situation endangered Bornean pygmy elephants and the rainforests of Sabah are facing.
“Human development and wildlife conservation must go hand in hand,” Pirelli-Zucchetta told attendees, highlighting the challenges posed by the Pan Borneo Highway—a 2,000-mile infrastructure project fragmenting critical habitats. “We’re actively working with the Sabah Wildlife Department and state government to mitigate these situations.”
The gala featured addresses from international conservation leaders, each highlighting different aspects of the global wildlife crisis.
Shannon Elizabeth, actress and founder of the Shannon Elizabeth Foundation, delivered one of the evening’s most powerful messages. “What if I told you the greatest crimes in our world today aren’t just against people, but against the planet itself? And what if I told you they’re one and the same?” Elizabeth asked the audience.
She detailed her foundation’s work with the Khusela Endangered Wildlife Sanctuary in South Africa, born from the story of Munu, a blind black rhino. “Blinded in territorial fights and found wandering in circles, Munu couldn’t survive on his own, and letting him die was never an option,” Elizabeth explained.
The sanctuary has since expanded to include a wildlife hospital, quarantine and release facilities for rhinos, and deployment of cutting-edge anti-poaching technologies within a conservation corridor that will eventually span over 1,000,000 hectares.
“Conservation isn’t just about animals or land, it starts with people,” Elizabeth explained. “Communities should not just be included in conservation, they must lead it.”
Chris DeRose also took the stage to highlight the critical situation at Virunga National Park, Africa’s oldest national park now threatened by conflict. “Today, there are 23 rebel groups moving in,” DeRose reported. “I personally spoke to Anthony, the head of the airway unit, and he expressed how difficult it is now with this war to protect the animals.”
Despite these challenges, DeRose noted significant progress: “In 2018, there were only 300 gorillas left and they were listed as critically endangered. Today, they’re listed as endangered and there’s more than 1,000 gorillas.”
Chris DeRose, founder of Last Chance for Animals, was recognised for his decades fighting animal cruelty. “This includes horses, dogs, sheep, gorillas, elephants, rhinos, and any other animal that was ever documented to be in this world,” Van Der Was said, encouraging attendees to support the foundation’s work.
The fashion show
Sustainable fashion showcase dazzles attendees
Following a three-course gourmet dinner, teenage designers from global youth movement Junk Kouture took center stage with a remarkable sustainable fashion showcase. Creatives aged 12 to 19 presented striking garments made entirely from recycled materials including Nespresso capsules, bottle caps, and glass.
The evening’s culinary offerings matched the event’s environmental ethos while celebrating regional flavours. Guests enjoyed carpaccio de gamberoni with Menton lemon and Timut pepper, followed by Mediterranean Sea bass with local zucchini and its blossom in a saffron-infused jus. The meal concluded with Carros strawberries with marjoram, complemented by Australian wines throughout the evening.
The charity auction proved a highlight of the evening, raising €16,100 for conservation projects. All proceeds will directly benefit initiatives including the Borneo Elephant Sanctuary, where work focuses on mitigating human-wildlife conflict related to the Pan Borneo Highway; Virunga National Park in Congo, supporting ranger programs and protection efforts; and the Khusela Wildlife Sanctuary in South Africa, advancing rhino conservation.
As the formal program concluded, guests danced into the night, celebrating the connections made and commitments to action for the world’s most threatened ecosystems.
“We’re not here tonight to admire the problem. We’re here to change the outcome,” Elizabeth reminded attendees. “The time is now. The choice is ours.”
Monaco Life is produced by a team of real multi-media journalists writing original content. See more in our free newsletter, follow our Podcasts on Spotify, and check us out on Facebook, Instagram, LinkedIn and Tik Tok.
Leclerc battles to sixth in dramatic Imola race as Ferrari shows strong pace
Charles Leclerc secured sixth place in a thrilling Emilia-Romagna Grand Prix, capping off a strong recovery drive for Scuderia Ferrari HP at Imola. Starting from 11th after a disappointing qualifying, the Monegasque fought through the midfield and brought home vital points in front of the passionate Italian fans.
Ferrari split strategies for the race, placing Leclerc on Mediums and Lewis Hamilton—starting 12th—on the Hard compound. Leclerc made early gains, passing Isack Hadjar and Pierre Gasly, before an early pit stop on lap 10 set him up for a clean-air undercut. He climbed to eighth with strong pace, but a mistimed Virtual Safety Car later handed the advantage to Hamilton, who pitted and emerged in a stronger position on fresher tyres.
The closing stages saw Leclerc defending hard against Williams’ Alex Albon, with the pair colliding at the chicane. Hamilton took advantage of the moment to pass both, eventually finishing fourth. Leclerc was later asked to concede position to Albon to avoid a potential penalty after the stewards launched an investigation.
“It just didn’t align today,” Leclerc admitted. “The timing of the VSC and Safety Car didn’t help, but I don’t regret the strategy. P6 isn’t the target, but we showed good race pace again.”
Max Verstappen claimed victory ahead of Lando Norris and Oscar Piastri, but Ferrari left Imola encouraged by its Sunday performance—despite a continued gap in one-lap pace. The team now heads to Monaco, where Leclerc hopes to finally score a breakthrough result at home.
Monaco Life is produced by multi-media journalists writing original content. See more in our free newsletter, follow our Podcasts on Spotify, and check us out on Facebook, Instagram, LinkedIn and Tik Tok.
Photo credit: Scuderia Ferrari Media Centre
Princess Stephanie presides over Carabiniers Insignia Ceremony for ‘Némorin Lignon’ recruits
Princess Stephanie of Monaco, Godmother of the Prince’s Carabiniers Corps, has presented official Corps insignia to eight trainees Carabiniers from the ‘Némorin Lignon’ recruitment class during a formal military ceremony held on May 15th.
The event took place on the helicopter landing area of the Moneghetti Barracks, attended by Colonel Tony Varo, Superior Commander of the Public Force, Lieutenant-Colonel Maxime Yvrard, Head of the Fire Brigade Corps, and families of the new recruits.
The ceremony began with a welcome from Lieutenant-Colonel Martial Pied, Head of Corps, followed by a review of the troops. The Company Flag was then presented to the future Carabiniers before Princess Stephanie officially conferred the insignia, which had been blessed by Abbot Christian Venard, Chaplain of the Public Force.
The Monaco national anthem, performed by the Prince’s Carabiniers Orchestra alongside all military personnel present, brought the ceremony to a close.
The young recruits had previously sworn their oath to Prince Albert II and His Family on 12th May 2025, committing to serve with ‘Honour, Loyalty and Devotion’ in accordance with the Corps’ motto. They formally take up their duties on 19th May.
Némorin Lignon, for whom the recruitment class is named, was born in Pouzolles in the Hérault region of France. At 21 years of age, he was incorporated into the 25th military medical section in Tunis on 24th October 1906, where he served until October 1908 before joining the active reserve.
He became part of the Carabiniers Corps on 17th July 1912, assigned service number 331, and was mobilised on 1st August 1914. After serving with the 96th Colonial Infantry Regiment, he joined the 44th Infantry Regiment on 5th April 1916.
On 13th April 1916, his regiment was redeployed to the Damloup sector near Verdun. Under bombardment of unprecedented intensity, the unit suffered heavy casualties. Among the victims was Némorin Lignon, who died on 26th April 1916 from an illness contracted at the front. He was officially recognised as having ‘Died for France.’
Monaco Life is produced by a team of real multi-media journalists writing original content. See more in our free newsletter, follow our Podcasts on Spotify, and check us out on Facebook, Instagram, LinkedIn and Tik Tok.
Exclusive interview: Thomas Flohr, the man who made flying private look effortless
In the polished world of private aviation, few names carry the weight of Thomas Flohr. The founder and chairman of VistaJet has done more than build a global fleet of identical silver and red jets, he has reshaped what it means to fly privately. With Monaco as both a strategic hub and a personal home, Flohr’s influence stretches across continents, skyways, and boardrooms. He didn’t just create a brand; he created a new way of thinking.
“Chartering planes used to be very transactional,” Flohr told Monaco Life’s Editor-in-Chief Cassandra Tanti in an exclusive interview. “But our clients expect more.” And he delivered just that – years ahead of his time. Flohr introduced a subscription-based model that changed the game. “You simply tell us how many hours you want to fly, we guarantee availability 365 days a year, and you guarantee to pay us. It’s that straightforward.”
But beneath that clarity lies decades of hard-earned business instinct.
A visionary career built on bold decisions
Flohr’s story begins in Switzerland, where he was born in St. Moritz. After studying business and political science at Ludwig Maximilian University of Munich, he began his career at Comdisco, a Chicago-based technology and leasing firm. Within a few years, he had risen to become the company’s European president and later headed its worldwide asset finance division.
Thomas Flohr’s financial foresight laid the groundwork for what would become VistaJet
In the early 2000s, when Comdisco’s European arm faced liquidation, Flohr saw opportunity where others saw risk. Through his Swiss-based investment vehicle, Comprendium, he acquired the European operations. That bold move laid the financial foundation for VistaJet. It also revealed what would become a defining trait: Flohr’s ability to read markets not just as they are—but as they will be.
Floating fleet and flawless experience: the VistaJet difference
“The idea was always to simplify what had historically been a very fragmented, unpredictable industry,” he said. “Our clients live their lives with a strong sense of quality and consistency. The subscription model aligned with how they make decisions.”
And it wasn’t just the pricing structure that set VistaJet apart. Flohr fundamentally reimagined the operational model. “Why should an airplane have a home base?” he asked. “It’s not a piece of real estate. Planes should be where the clients are.” VistaJet’s aircraft “float” from one region to another based on demand, with maintenance handled across 40 global hubs and crew changes arranged at the last aircraft location.
The VistaJet fleet “floats” across the world, ensuring planes are always where they need to be
That flexibility has proven invaluable, especially during high-traffic seasons along the Côte d’Azur. “When demand spikes in one region – say, Europe in the summer – our fleet naturally concentrates there because many of our American and Asian clients are also in Europe at that time,” he explained. “If you sign with a regional provider, you won’t get that same flexibility, and that’s a major issue.”
In a sector dominated by ownership, Thomas Flohr saw another weakness: the lack of consistency. With over 24,000 underutilised corporate jets operating worldwide, each offers a different onboard experience. “Think of it like walking into a Hermès store – whether you’re in Monte Carlo, Abu Dhabi, or Tokyo, the experience is identical. That’s what our clientele is used to,” he said. “So I insisted that every VistaJet aircraft be identical inside, down to the smallest details.”
Initially, even manufacturers pushed back, unaccustomed to such strict customisation at scale. But Flohr was relentless. “Our clients expect a consistent, luxurious, seamless experience – not just from A to B, but across the entire journey,” he said.
Monaco: business, lifestyle and legacy
That same consistency defines VistaJet’s footprint in Monaco. “Up to 75–80% of the flights to and from Nice are business-related, which aligns perfectly with our model and the type of clients we serve,” Flohr said. From global business leaders to high-profile families, VistaJet has become the aircraft of choice for those who move fluidly between meetings, megayachts, and social galas.
“Monaco has a deep sense of tradition while being incredibly forward-looking. That balance is rare,” he added. “The leadership here has created an environment where stability meets innovation, and that’s incredibly attractive – not just personally, but for our business.”
A view of Nice from the air
Monaco is also home to one of VistaJet’s most celebrated traditions: Vista House at the Monaco Grand Prix. “It has become a place where our community gathers – clients, friends, partners,” Flohr said. “It reflects the same level of hospitality and attention to detail we offer onboard.”
The VistaJet lifestyle extends far beyond the aircraft. Clients are offered everything from exclusive culinary partnerships, like those with multi-Michelin starred Chef Mauro Colagreco and Monaco’s beloved Beefbar, to curated in-flight experiences. “If they want Michelin-starred dining from a chef like Mauro Colagreco, they’ll get it. If they want something more relaxed, like Beefbar, we make that happen too. It’s about elevating the travel experience without adding hassle.”
VistaJet clients enjoy access to exclusive, world-class culinary experiences tailored to their tastes
And when clients need backup, whether for maintenance, scheduling conflicts, or spontaneous trips, VistaJet delivers. “Supplemental lift is something we’ve become very strong in,” he said. “Owners might have one plane, but they need backup when it’s down. We fill that gap, seamlessly.”
Such adaptability proved critical during Covid-19. As competitors paused or downsized, Flohr made the call to retain all VistaJet staff and double down on expansion. “From 2019 to 2024, we tripled the fleet and dramatically improved financial performance,” he said. “By fall 2020, we were already back to pre-Covid numbers.”
That growth included the world’s largest fleet of Bombardier Global 7500 jets – 18 in total – all of which are set to be upgraded to the next-generation Global 8000s by 2026. “At the top end, it’s about non-stop range and arriving in remote locations feeling refreshed,” he said. “We’re ready for the future.”
Sustainability, philanthropy, and future-ready aviation
A future that Flohr is determined to make sustainable. “VistaJet became carbon neutral in 2025, a goal set years prior and“every flight is now offset,” he shared. “But it wasn’t just about money, it involved significant client education and engagement.” The company has purchased more than 4.2 million gallons of sustainable aviation fuel (SAF) and publishes annual environmental impact reports. “That transparency is important to us,” Flohr said. “We want to lead the change.”
That sense of leadership also guides VistaJet’s partnerships, especially in Monaco. The company works closely with the Princess Grace and Princess Charlene Foundations, aligning philanthropy with its global platform. “We’re very selective with our partnerships,” Flohr said. “It’s not just about visibility, it’s about alignment with our values. Supporting them reflects who we are.”
Ferrari’s Charles Leclerc onboard a VistaJet aircraft
On the racetrack, VistaJet’s relationship with Ferrari and Charles Leclerc also continues to deepen. “Charles represents Monaco and embodies the same values we do: excellence, discipline, and authenticity,” Flohr said. “I was overjoyed when he won the Monaco Grand Prix last year. It was well deserved.”
So what’s next?
“Our entire Global 7500 fleet will be upgraded to Global 8000s by 2026,” Flohr confirmed. “And personally, I just want to say how much we feel at home in Monaco. I spend a lot of time here, and it’s a fantastic place to live, meet people, and do business.”
From the Swiss Alps to Monte-Carlo, from tech leasing to silver jets sweeping the Côte d’Azur, Thomas Flohr has built a business empire on vision, precision, and nerve. He hasn’t just conquered an industry — he’s rewritten its playbook.
Monaco Life is produced by multi-media journalists writing original content. See more in our free newsletter, follow our Podcasts on Spotify, and check us out on Facebook, Instagram, LinkedIn and Tik Tok.
All photos courtesy VistaJet
Parking des Salines offers ideal solution for Monaco Grand Prix attendees
The government has highlighted the merits of the Parking des Salines as a solution for the thousands of spectators expected to attend the 82nd Formula 1 TAG Heuer Grand Prix of Monaco taking place from the 22nd to 25th May 2025.
Located at Monaco’s western entrance, the spacious parking has been specifically configured to accommodate a high number of visitors while offering substantial cost savings and convenient access to the circuit.
By choosing Parking des Salines, motorists can completely bypass urban traffic congestion both upon arrival and departure—a significant advantage during the Grand Prix weekend when Monaco’s streets become exceptionally busy.
Race attendees can then reach the circuit quickly and easily via two options:
A complimentary shuttle service operated by Compagnie des Autobus de Monaco, available in both directions upon presentation of a parking ticket or RésaWeb QR code. The shuttle drops passengers in the Fontvieille district on Avenue Albert II, just a five-minute walk from the circuit via mechanical connections. This route is recommended for people with reduced mobility.
Alternatively, spectators can follow a marked pedestrian route from the parking to the circuit (passing through Galerie des Salines, Promenade Honoré II, Place du Canton and Place d’Armes) with a journey time of approximately 16 minutes using available lifts.
Substantial cost savings
During the four days of the Grand Prix (22nd, 23rd, 24th and 25th May), Parking des Salines will offer a highly economical flat rate of €10 per day for any entry between 6am and 6pm.
For comparison, city centre parkings will charge between €24 (on 22nd and 23rd May) and €30 (on 24th and 25th May) for day-long parking. This represents savings of 58% to 67% for those choosing Parking des Salines.
With a substantial capacity of 1,790 spaces, Parking des Salines allows visitors to secure a parking spot in advance through the RésaWeb booking service, accessible at https://resa.parkings.mc.
Pre-booking not only guarantees parking availability on race days but also enables free use of the circuit shuttle service upon presentation of the QR code generated during reservation.
The Principality has made detailed maps available showing both the pedestrian and shuttle routes to the circuit in French, English and Italian, as well as providing Waze location information to assist visitors in finding the parking.
Monaco Life is produced by a team of real multi-media journalists writing original content. See more in our free newsletter, follow our Podcasts on Spotify, and check us out on Facebook, Instagram, LinkedIn and Tik Tok.
All the headlines and highlights from Monaco, direct to you every morning
